|
SB 1090, PN 1887: This bill would amend the Minimum Wage Act of
1968 to make it gender neutral, increase the minimum wage rate to $6.65
per hour in three steps over the next two years, permit employers to pay
a training wage, and create an exemption for certain small businesses.
Sen. Brightbill moved to go over the bill, and Sen. Tartaglione
objected, asking for a roll call vote. A vote of 29-21 was recorded on
the motion to go over the bill.
SB 1188, PN 1910: This bill would amend the State Lottery Law to
integrate the existing PACE and PACENET programs with the new Medicare
Part D prescription drug benefit. Sen. Boscola offered amendment A8318,
which would hold seniors harmless if they are receiving PACE/PACENET
benefits and their Social Security COLA increases their income beyond
the eligibility guidelines. Sen. Wozniak offered amendment A8328, which
makes several technical changes. The Senate agreed to the amendments,
and a vote of 50-0 was recorded on the bill as amended.
SB 451, PN 1812: This bill would amend the Rural Pennsylvania
Revitalization Act. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.
HB 496, PN 4210: The bill would amend the Crimes Code and the
Judicial Code providing criminal penalties for damaging land survey
monuments or markers. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.
SB 655, PN 1911: This bill would amend the Engineer, Land
Surveyor and Geologist Law with regard to engineering licensing,
registration, and continuing education requirements. Sen. Wonderling
offered amendment A8329, which defines “geologist-in-training,” provides
for that certification, and makes other changes regarding geologist
licensing requirements. The Senate agreed to the amendment, and the bill
went over as amended.
SB 917, PN 1884: This bill amends the Real Estate Appraisers
Certification Act to add the new categories of “licensed appraiser” and
“appraiser trainee” and to provide for reciprocity, for certification
and licensure renewal, and for disciplinary measures. A vote of 50-0
was recorded.
HB 2381, PN 4211: This is a joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution providing for marriage
between one man and one woman.
Sen. Orie made a
motion to revert to a prior printer’s number (PN 4145) and retain
language that was stripped out in the Judiciary Committee that could
negatively impact domestic partnership benefits. A vote of 19-31 was
recorded on the motion to revert.
Sen. Gordner offered
amendment A8317, which would have added language similar to the language
stripped during the Judiciary Committee meeting and prohibited the state
from recognizing “any other legal union as the functional equivalent of
marriage.” Senators supporting the amendment stated that it would
prohibit civil unions, but retain benefits currently provided to
domestic partners. Senators against the amendment stated that there was
no need for it, as there have been no court challenges to the state’s
current law and civil unions are banned under current law. A vote of
23-37 was recorded on the amendment.
A vote of 38-12 was
recorded on the bill.
SB 1120, PN 1912: The bill would amend the Crimes Code
providing for methamphetamine laboratories and minors. Sen. Robbins
offered amendment A8246, which establishes that operating a meth lab
with a child present would be a third-degree felony. The Senate agreed
to the amendment, and the bill went over as amended.
SR 320, PN 1870: This resolution condemns the municipal
government of Saint-Denis, France, for naming a street after Mumia
Abu-Jamal, the convicted murderer of Philadelphia police officer Danny
Faulkner. Senators opposing the resolution expressed that the original
trial was unfair and a poor reflection on Pennsylvania’s judicial
system. A vote of 44-4 was recorded.
| 